The transition of the entire territory of Donbas under Russian control, as desired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, could create the necessary conditions for the Russians to resume hostilities and attacks on Ukraine from more advantageous positions, at the right time for them, reports Focus.ua.
Vladimir Putin is said to have told US President Donald Trump that he is willing to return to Ukraine the occupied parts of two regions — Zaporizhia and Kherson. In return, the Kremlin leader again asked to take control over the entire territory of Donbas.
According to the cited source, the Kremlin does not advance this idea without reason. A report from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) explained what the Russians are aiming for. According to analysts, despite information about Putin’s new proposals, published in WP, the exact conditions of the Kremlin leader remain unclear.
“Perhaps Putin was referring to parts of the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions controlled by Ukraine, which Russia has illegally annexed, but does not occupy,” ISW noted.
In August of this year, the Russian leader advanced the idea of transferring the Donetsk region under Russian control in exchange for a ceasefire. As before, ISW analysts believe that Russia will gain a disproportionate advantage if Ukraine accepts these conditions.
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